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Glite Dictionary
tortricid moth

tortricid moth

9.9
A small moth whose caterpillars roll leaves and eat fruit
  • noun
  • /ˈtɔrtrɪsɪd mɔθ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polilla tortrícida
  • The apple orchards suffered severe damage due to an infestation of tortricid moth larvae.

Examples

  • Some species of tortricid moth are considered major agricultural pests across the world.

  • The researcher collected several tortricid moth specimens for her entomology study.

  • The tortricid moth is known for its distinctive wing patterns.

  • Have you seen a tortricid moth before?

  • Some species of tortricid moth are considered major agricultural pests that damage crops.

  • The apple orchards suffered severe damage due to an infestation of tortricid moth larvae that were feeding on the leaves.

  • The researcher collected several tortricid moth specimens to analyze their role in the local ecosystem.

Synonyms

tortricid
vstortricid moth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small moth whose caterpillars roll leaves and eat fruit

is the same scientific name form rather than a general descriptive phrase
leaf-roller
vstortricid moth
  • Specialized
8.9

A moth whose caterpillars roll and tie leaves with silk to make a nest

focuses on the leaf rolling behavior rather than family identity
tortrix
vstortricid moth
  • Specialized
9.9

A small moth whose caterpillars eat and damage crops or fruit

is broader and names family moths not only those that harm crops

Surface Forms

tortricid moth singular
tortricid moths plural

Morphology

tortricid + moth

The phrase 'tortricid moth' is a straightforward taxonomic noun phrase: its meaning (‘a moth of the Tortricidae family’) is directly built from 'tortricid' (a member/type of that family) plus 'moth'. This compositional, descriptive pattern is common and predictable, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can infer the meaning.

Etymology

The name tortricid moth, especially the word tortricid, comes from an old Latin word meaning 'twist', because the young caterpillars roll and twist leaves to make a shelter. That's why the name describes small moths whose young 'leaf rollers' often live in leaves or inside fruit.